County Commission to consider 50-cent employee pay raise

Many Franklin County employees could see a 50-cent pay raise if the County Commission chooses to pass a budget as proposed and approved by the Finance Committee.

Several departments were requesting employee pay raises, and Finance Director Andrea Smith included a 50-cent raise in her recommendation to the Finance Committee.

In the past two budget cycles, county employees did not receive a raise but did receive a $200 Christmas bonus.

County Commission Chairman Eddie Clark said that county employees have not received a raise in a few years and he believes that the commission will approve the proposed increase.

“Our people haven’t had a raise in two or three years,” Clark said. “I haven’t talked to any of the other commissioners about it, but the Finance Committee recommends it, and I believe it will pass since it can be done without a tax increase.”

If passed, this will be the first cost of living pay increase for county employees since the 2011-12 budget.

The raises will include all county employees with the exception of the school system and Highway Department.

“The Highway Commission adopted a new job class/pay schedule for their employees so they are receiving increases to get them to their minimum pay level,” Smith said. “The school is only getting degree and step increases, I believe.”

The Franklin County Commission is expected to discuss the budget in its upcoming July 21 session at the Courthouse at 7 p.m.

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